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Following revelations that numerous sexual assaults took place in Cologne, Germany over New Year's Eve, Austrian police in Salzburg on Thursday reported a number of similar incidents.
Police revealed that at least five incidents had occurred with perpetrators primarily of Syrian and Afghan origin, and that they believed the late nature of the reports was most likely due to victims feeling compelled to come forward as news of the events in Germany has circulated throughout the media.
The reports include a 22-year-old who on Monday claimed she was inappropriately touched during the New Year's celebrations by two men of foreign origin who were part of a larger group, with her cell phone also allegedly stolen during the incident, according to the Kronen Zeitung newspaper.
Another similar report was made via email on Wednesday, while also on Wednesday an Afghan national sexually molested a 28-year-old woman in a Salzburg bar, with doormen able to physically restrain him until police arrived.
Further incidents came to the attention of authorities on Thursday, including two separate sexual assaults of a 58-year-old and a 20-year-old woman in Salzburg over the New Year evening.
A police spokesperson said investigations are currently underway to determine whether the attacks were organized or whether there are connections between the individual perpetrators.
Police in the national capital of Vienna had initially stated there were no such incidents reported there, though on Thursday one report did come to light where three women who were together in a group reported inappropriate contact as well as theft while they were dancing, though a police spokesperson said such particular incidents are not entirely uncommon.
In response to the reports, interior minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner said Thursday that police will pursue each individual case regardless of the background of the perpetrators with a "zero tolerance" approach.
